Flying Dutchman

noun

1
: a legendary Dutch mariner condemned to sail the seas until Judgment Day
2
: a spectral ship that according to legend haunts the seas near the Cape of Good Hope

Word History

First Known Use

1813, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of Flying Dutchman was in 1813

Dictionary Entries Near Flying Dutchman

Cite this Entry

“Flying Dutchman.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Flying%20Dutchman. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on Flying Dutchman

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!